Note 6 — THE WIFE OF BATH.
Reading edition
This trait in the wife of Bath's character is brought out more distinctly by Chaucer:
Me needeth not no longer doon diligence To win their love, or do them reverence. They loved me so well, high God above! That I tolde no deynte of their love. A wise woman will busy her ever in one To gete her love, there she hath none. But synnes I had them wholly in my hand And synnes they had me given all their land, What should I take keep them for to please But it were for my profit or mine ease?
"I tolde no deynte of their love," means I set no store by it; "ever in one" is always; and "take keep" is take care.